Plastic ban updates

DISPOSABLE PLASTICS BANNED  IN BODHGAYA  

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect" - Aldo Leopold

Since early 2009, Sacred Earth Trust SET, has been working in cooperation with the local and the international communities to reduce the plastic pollution in Bodhgaya and surrounding villages.

By raising awareness on the issues in relation to plastic pollution and the effects on the land, water courses, human and animal health.

Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee BTMC agreed to officially ban disposable plastic at the grounds of the Mahabodhi Temple in September 2009 and it was publicly announce in Oct 2010. SET volunteers worked on gathering a petition of support for the ban, collecting over 7000+ signatures from local and international communities was presented to local and central government in 2009 and early 2010. This has lead to the local government officially banning disposable plastics and will work towards implementation through education and practical action, starting within 500m of the central area around the Mahabodhi Temple.

4R's: REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE was introduced last year to bring awareness to plastic pollution in the sacred land.

Village women have been an important part of the solution. Through developing income generation projects,  sewing cloth bags has resulted in keeping 50,000+ plastic bags off the land during the winter of 2010. This initiative was supported by BTMC and the Buddhist organisations, such as Kagyu Monlam, Nyingma Monlam, Amitabha Foundation, Aloka Foundation, Tipitaka who come to Bodhgaya for the annual peace gathering events under the Bodhi Tree.  Local supporters included hoteliers and businesses.

The local government in nearby Gaya are developing strategies on developing an infrastructure for the development of the Solid Waste Management SWM system by outsourcing the work to private SWM companies to deal with the clean up.

There have been several attempts to deal with the waste issues, which accumulate during the peak seasons. Due to lack of resources the SWM system till now is to dump in a pile at collection points and then taken to the town dumpsite just outside town or the river- bank of the famous Naranjana. The river remains a dry sandy riverbed apart from 6 weeks of the year, when the monsoon comes. Small improvements have been made slowly this year such as new waste bins for collection placed along the main street and walking precinct.

There are many issues in Bodhgaya in regards to environment, social and economic developments which all seem to be effected by or dependant on the tourism of Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims during the 6 months of the year.

The sustainable development of Bodhgaya will take time to implement and to engage those who can make a difference locally, but as international visitors to the place of Buddha’s enlightenment we can make a huge difference by being conscious of what we consume and how we choose to do it.

Small things make a big difference……..

Say no to plastics- can reduce plastic pollution on the land and impact on air pollution

Using your own cloth bags -can reduce plastic bags being used and you can use it more than once.

Bring your own reusable water bottles or thermal flasks- can reduce use of plastic water bottles and polystyrene, plastic cups

Bring your own cutlery, cups and plates- can reduce your disposable waste at events

Through conscious living and taking action we can be part of the solution!!!

For more info: www.sacredearthtrust.org

LINKS WITH MEXICAN SMALL TOWNS

Forging Links in Mexico

Sacred Earth Trust worked in collaboration with Cine en el Campo on designing and facilitating Workshops in Mexico Small towns for raising environmental awareness in regards to the issues relative to that area. Two weeks in Baja California Sur engaging communities in Mulege and Guerrero Negro, a UNESCO world Heritage Site.

We focused on mobilzing the students and teachers in schools and women in the community of the small towns. The main topic we explored was WASTE and pollution and the issues and impact it was having in the local areas.

The workshops topics:

Climate change and Global warming

Reducing plastic pollution: 4 Rs as a reference and guide for facilitating change 

Campaign to start segregating waste to be recycled

Water issues: pollution and contamination

Garbage enzyme

Slow sand filter

The workshops often resulted in discussions between the women on how to facilitate change. Teacher training session were effective in setting an awareness program and for encouraging the beginning of the working partnerships between the schools and actual practical action on reducing plastic pollution in the surrounding areas. A competition was set for the students of the three schools to design a poster for their communities on the topics of 4 Rs and the impact of pollution on land, health, water and air. The winning posters of each school would be made into banners to be displayed in their school and surrounding communities.

Links were made between the 3 schools and the local recycling operation with "Mr Recyclado". The recycling company had agreed to sponsor the printing of the winning posters and provide segregation bins for each school to begin and continue their practical action.

Cine En El Campo who had organised the project, filmed the whole process during the two weeks and the footage was edited into two short films, they were screened as part of the touring film festival. The tour went to 50 small towns around Mexico and Baja California Sur areas and showed 9 films on various issues including environmental topics.

BODHGAYA GOV BANS PLASTIC

Local Government committee agrees to ban disposable plastics            

Bodhgaya Nagar Panchyat agrees to ban disposable plastics starting from the new tax year in April 2011. 
This will include disposable consumer item such as plastic bags, cups and polystyrene items these will be banned in the main Bodhgaya area. 

Representatives of the local government have said they will implemented the reduction of use and introduce the ban slowly. This action is part of their plans to develop a waste management system in the town and surrounding areas.

Other areas they have voiced as part of their development strategy are providing dustbins in the streets for disposal of waste and bringing in an external waste management company to manage the collection and disposal.

OUTREACH

Outreach work in the Himalayan regions of Sikkim 2011

In March 2011, SET went to Sikkim to start setting up partnerships with Chaktar Rinpoches foundation and Eklavya Model Residential Tribal School.
Workshops were delivered to over 250 students from a remote tribal school in Gangyap, West Sikkim.

Topics of the workshop covered were: 
Climate change local issues
Cause and effect globally and locally
Solutions 

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Green school program February 2011

Teacher training took place over two days in Bodhgaya. Over 14 schools participated and 27 teachers attended the two workshop sessions.

Teachers in groups discussions

The topics covered were environmental education, creative learning, social engagement and practical action. The Earth Charter Initiative and guidelines were introduced.

More information can be  found on the article on the HOME page.